Stem Cells

1691 Words4 Pages

After many decades of successful and unsuccessful trials to find a cure for diseases and disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and/or Parkinson’s disease, it seems like scientific research has provided us with a hope for these diseases. This essay will address the issue of controversial research in stem cells. This technology offers hope to millions who are victims of a multitude of diseases and disorders. It can be used to regrow limbs, create organs, attack genetic diseases, treat malfunctioning bladders, etc. However, this same technology is also one of the most controversial debates in science today. If you type “stem cells research” into your Google search bar, you will most likely find not only advances in this field or a basic overview of stem cells, but articles on this topic that raises doubts such as whether the benefits outweigh the risks associated with it, the legitimacy of its applications, and the costs associated with it. This has slowed down stem cells funding and reduced the confidence of public and private institutions in this type of research. This paper will argue that stem cells research should be continued. In order to argue stem cells should be continued, this paper will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of stem cells. This essay will mostly use American and Australian sources, and thus the arguments will be mostly based on American and Australian data. This paper begins by outlining the two most basic types of stem cells: Adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Information on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) will not be considered as it is less developed. Then, it compares the advantages and the disadvantages of stem cells. To illustrate the advantages and disadvantage... ... middle of paper ... .... Politics can influence who receives coveted nih research grants. Retrieved from http://www.labspaces.net/94961/Politics_Can_Influence_Who_Receives_Coveted_NIH_Research_Grants • Halme, D., & Kessler, D. (2006). Fda regulation of stem-cell based therapies. The New England Journal of Medicine, Retrieved from http://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMhpr063086 • Capps, B., & Campbell, A. (2010). Controverted Cells: Global Perspectives on the Stem Cell Debate. London, UK: Imperial College Press. • Solo, P., & Pressberg, G. (2007). The Promise and Politics of Stem Cell Research. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers. • Stachowiak, M., & Tzanakakis, E. (2012). Stem Cells: From Mechanisms to Technologies. Singapore: World Scientific. • World Health Organization. (2010). Access to affordable medicines. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/medicines/mdg/MDG08ChapterEMedsEn.pdf

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